Last night, the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Gov. Brian Kemp’s lawsuit abuse reform legislation that he has called his “top priority” for the 2025 legislative session. The bills, introduced by Kemp at a press conference last month, aim to address the rising insurance costs that have burdened Georgians in recent years.

During the hearing, Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy (R-Macon) said that ending lawsuit abuse will “stabilize costs for health care providers, job creators and most importantly, Georgia consumers”and that consumers and small businesses are “begging for some kind of help, some kind of relief.”

During his testimony, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King claimed that “because of lawsuit abuse, veteran-owned small businesses are being squeezed out of business.” 

The hearing also featured testimony from local industry leaders who have been hit the hardest by rising insurance costs. One GA hospital executive testified that they “are not competing,” while a local grocery store owner lamented “I no longer run my business. I just try to protect it from others trying to take it.”

Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kennedy, passed out of committee after more than five hours of debate, with an 8-3 vote . Meanwhile, Senate Bill 69 garnered bipartisan support, passing 10-1, with Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta) as the lone dissenting vote.

Last night’s votes mark a significant victory and crucial first steps toward passing Gov. Kemp’s lawsuit abuse package, paving the way for lower prices for Georgians across the Peach State.